TNAG-0977-FCO40-1196-Legislation-for-the-abortion-law-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 38

For discussion

on 25th October 1977

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XCR(77)277 Copy No..

MEMORANDUM FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Offences Against the Person Ordinance

(Chapter 212)

REPORT OF THE WORKING GROUP ON

THE LAW RELATING TO ABORTION

On 2nd March 1976, the Governor in Council approved the introduction of a bill into the Legislative Council to make section 47 A of the Offences Against the Person Ordinance (Chapter 212) (which prescribes the circumstances in which doctors may perform a therapeutic abortion in the interest of a patient) part of the permanent

law.

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(a)

(b)

At this meeting the Governor directed:

that the facilities afforded by the Ordinance should be brought to the attention of the public in order to reduce the number of illegal abortions;

that the Working Group considering whether further changes to existing legislation and procedures are required should report its findings as soon as possible.

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The bill was subsequently enacted on 26th March 1976. A Working Group was then set up, under the chairmanship of the Deputy Secretary for Social Services, with representatives from the Medical and Health Department, Home Affairs Lepartment, Legal Department and the Social Welfare Department. The report of the Working Group is at the Annex. The purpose of this memorandum is to seek Members' advice on:

(a)

whether the recommendations of the Working Group should be accepted and, if so;

(b)

whether a draft bill to amend the law relating to abortion should be introduced into the Legislative Council.

Findings and Recommendations of the Report

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A summary of recommendations in the Report is set out at pages 18 and 19 therein and is reproduced in paragraph 18 of this

G.S. 84

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